Starting problems

[thegreatgaroo]

My daughter has a 1996 Saturn. The battery is strong. The alternator is fine (when running shows 14 volts across battery terminals). At times the car just won't start. I know the starter is good because it doesn't grind or hesitate when it does start. I think it's a problem with the ignition cut-off on the anti-theft device. Is there a way to turn this off or could a replacement ignition switch be the answer?

[Cat Fuzz]

Probably a bad solenoid. Eventually, you won't be able to start it at all. Take your volt meter under the car and check for voltage at the small spade terminal on the starter solenoid. If you have voltage there, with the key in the start position, and nothing is happening, you have a bad solenoid on the starter. Don't forget to push down the clutch (if 5 speed) when doing this test and disable the ignition for safety.

[supra2016]

Originally Posted by thegreatgaroo

My daughter has a 1996 Saturn. The battery is strong. The alternator is fine (when running shows 14 volts across battery terminals). At times the car just won't start. I know the starter is good because it doesn't grind or hesitate when it does start. I think it's a problem with the ignition cut-off on the anti-theft device. Is there a way to turn this off or could a replacement ignition switch be the answer?

Hi,
My neice has the same car and is experiencing the same thing. Did you find the problem?? When we go to try and test the different circuits the car will always start so we can't complete the test. It is very strange. My niece is away at school and the car wouldn't start. She had it towed. They went to take it off the tow truck and it started right up.
I look forward to your response.

[supra2016]

Originally Posted by thegreatgaroo

My daughter has a 1996 Saturn. The battery is strong. The alternator is fine (when running shows 14 volts across battery terminals). At times the car just won't start. I know the starter is good because it doesn't grind or hesitate when it does start. I think it's a problem with the ignition cut-off on the anti-theft device. Is there a way to turn this off or could a replacement ignition switch be the answer?

Hi,
My neice has the same car and is experiencing the same thing. Did you find the problem?? When we go to try and test the different circuits the car will always start so we can't complete the test. It is very strange. My niece is away at school and the car wouldn't start. She had it towed. They went to take it off the tow truck and it started right up.
I look forward to your response.

[Cat Fuzz]

Even though this is an old thread I'll respond by saying it sounds like the same thing I posted above. Bad starter solenoid. I'd bet money on it. Seen it a hundred times. Starts out as very intermittent with the problem slowly getting worse until the car just won't turn over anymore.

[supra2016]

Originally Posted by Cat Fuzz

Even though this is an old thread I'll respond by saying it sounds like the same thing I posted above. Bad starter solenoid. I'd bet money on it. Seen it a hundred times. Starts out as very intermittent with the problem slowly getting worse until the car just won't turn over anymore.

Thanks. I will let her know.